Windows phone 7 Series First Impressions

So you think you know about Windows Mobile? Well, just forget everything you know as Microsoft have done what many people may believe is a crazy idea: completely revamped the OS from scratch. Well.. that’s at least how the OS looks and how it feels. It is a complete new smartphone operating system, with no interface like it before (I tell a lie, it is quite similar to that of the Zune HD). However, the 7 series expands upon the interface by a large amount by incorporating new interaction with the device.

So.. what is so special about the 7 Series’ User Interface? It’s rather an original idea, Albert Shum (former Nike Designer) himself even calls it an “authentically digital” and “chromeless” experience. Woah, what did he just say? He’s basically saying that there is no shadows, 3D effects, backgrounds etc. and there is very little going on visually.

Have Microsoft gone mad? Well.. no, it is actually a good idea as Microsoft are keeping everything simplistic which in effects causes everything to run smoothly and efficiently. Where rival companies are going for over the top gloss effects and drop down menus here and 3D spinning effects there, Microsoft are just doing the opposite.

So.. the userinterface contains “Five Hubs” which, in effect, are pages containing your most common used tasks,  a “start” page based around live “tiles” or, in Belfiore’s words, “super icons”. Your contact book will grab your contacts from Outlook and social networking sites and display them with there thumbnail display picture. Series’ 7 will also be intergrating media playback capabilities via a built in Zune Player which will sync to a PC software similar to that of iTunes, Series’ 7 will also have music and video service applications such as Last.fm on the device.

Did someone mention Games? Microsoft is evolving mobile game play by intergrating Xbox Live into the OS, allowing users to play games online against other phones, PC’s and yes.. Xbox Consoles. We shall hopefully see more on the integration of Xbox Live in the near future. The 7 Series’ will also be incorporating a web browser which is based around the same code as the desktop version of Internet Explorer which will contain full support for multi-touch gestures such as pinching to zoom (similar to the iPhone). Although Adobe Flash will not be integrated at first, but it is believe that Microsoft Silverlight will be.

Microsoft’s key priority with the new operating system was maintaining consistency in the user interface design between menus and applications so users get a familiar experience throughout (just like their approach with Windows ribbon menu’s in Office). Microsoft also stated that Windows Phone 7 devices will all have a set standard of three buttons on the face:  Start; Search; and Back.

Microsoft also acknowledged that their previous versions of its the Windows Mobile platform focused heavily on business productivity applications, while the latest release has been designed to provide one device that can be used just as effectively for both personal and work tasks.

Check out the video below for the new interface in action.

Here at DigiLounge, we believe that Series’ 7 will bring a new breath of life to the mobile world, offering a unique approach of simplicity. Keep checking back for more on Windows Phone 7 Series details!